5 hand-picked articles from across the Startup Digest Reading Lists. Sign up to receive great weekly content on various topics from expert curators.

1. WM Motor, an unheard-of car startup, raised $1 billion

WM Motor is a Chinese carmaker founded by Freeman Shen. Shen is known for his work at Volvo and at Chinese carmaker Geely.

If you work in the arena of EVs, you shall not be unfamiliar with the ambitious moves Chinese investors and manufacturers are making. Though you might have doubts about inflated valuations and lack of know-how, the policy moves these days in China, some clearly protectionist, will likely drive domestic hardware and software players to prosperity.

If policy-related topics interest you, email/tweet me so I can provide a deeper dive. Read More

Ex-Zipcar CEO Robin Chase explains that an autonomous car future isn’t inherently positive, that its benefits (or detriments) will depend on choices citizens and the industry can and should start making now. Read More

3. How This Woman Went From Homelessness to Running a Multimillion-Dollar Venture Fund

A year ago, Arlan Hamilton was bouncing from couch to couch chasing a dream. Now, she’s leading a $5 million venture fund focused on finding the most promising female, minority, and LGBT entrepreneurs. Read More

4. Depression in the startup world: A former Seattle CEO speaks out

Depression is an ugly truth that comes with startups. Often optimistic expectations paired with the inevitable reality that the overwhelming majority of upstarts will fail creates a pretty straightforward predicament. Yet this is where community becomes ever more important. Read More